This Is the Best Buffet in Minnesota, Known for Its Massive Salad Bar

Buffet restaurants are often billed as choose-your-own-adventure culinary experiences. My problem with them is that there's not often a lot of choice... or much adventure. One exception to this, however, is Q. Cumbers, which is located in Edina. Known for its massive salad bar, the restaurant has been a favorite among Twin Citians for more than three decades. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it's the best buffet in Minnesota.

Q. Cumbers' longtime Centennial Lakes anchor location means that walking into the restaurant feels less like entering a basic, low-ceilinged, strip mall buffet and more like stepping into an airy, well-lighted eatery with 270 degrees of windows, many of which overlook the park and its lake. Although it's a buffet, the restaurant offers a dining experience that balances nostalgic comfort with a vegetable-forward philosophy, making it a fairly unique Twin Cities dining institution—and certainly unique among buffet restaurants in Minnesota.

The main event of the Q. Cumbers experience is, without question, the 50-foot salad bar (as you could likely surmise from the restaurant's name). It's a sprawling selection with everything you'd expect to see on a well-stocked salad bar, as well as a few surprises. This is where the adventure starts for most diners.

The experience doesn't end at the cold station, of course. You'll find a Hot Bar that offers the kind of stick-to-the-ribs homestyle favorites that warm you from the inside out. Selections may include savory wild rice soup—a Minnesota staple—alongside dishes like baked chicken, pot roast, or a rotating selection of international-inspired dishes, such as tacos or vegetable curries. The setup encourages a slower pace; you ladle out soup, grab a warm breadstick, and maybe even a slice from the pizza bar.

Staying true to its lean toward a healthy dining experience, Q. Cumbers' dessert options include a selection of fresh fruit, fruit salad, jello, and pudding. If you're feeling more indulgent, you can pair any of it with a dish of soft-serve (it is low-fat, after all).

Unlike most all-you-can-eat buffets, Q. Cumbers also offers takeout. You can buy salad, hot bar items, dessert, and ice cream by weight. Other items, such as breadsticks and beverages, are available at a fixed price. Just grab a box or a bowl, fill it up, and pay for it on the way out. It's super convenient if you need a quick, healthy meal, don't want fast food, but don't have time to sit down and eat in a restaurant.

For around $20 for adults, you can enjoy a nutritious, satisfying dining adventure designed by you to suit your own tastes. These days, I think that's a pretty good deal. For more information on the restaurant's menus and pricing, head over to the Q. Cumbers website. Do you agree that Q. Cumbers is the best buffet for a salad bar in Minnesota? We'd love to hear about your favorite buffet restaurants over on our Nomination page.

Ready for your next culinary adventure in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? Start with a visit to Only In Your State’s itinerary planner for some inspiration.